For a team that was picked to contend for a Super Bowl berth in 2017, a 9-7 finish outside of the playoff hunt was a definite disappointment. But since they’re the Dallas Cowboys, they’re probably used to it.
Roger Goodell all but sunk the season with a ridiculous and unjustified punishment handed down to Ezekiel Elliot that cost him six games and likely cost the cowboys a couple of wins that would have at least put them in a wild card game.
BetDSI Sportsbook isn’t ready to put Dallas back in the NFC playoffs in 2018 either. Here are the over/under odds they’re offering.
Dallas Cowboys 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 8.5 (-125)
Under 8.5 (-105)
The biggest Cowboys news of the offseason was a player they cut, wide receiver Dez Bryant. While Dak Prescott may be saying all the right things about the team not needing a true No. 1 receiver, there’s a good chance they have a couple on the team. They added Allen Hurns as a free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars and drafted Michael Gallup out of Colorado State.
Gallup could be a true No. 1 in a year and Hurns will definitely play outside, since Cole Beasley is one of the best slot receivers in the league. Terrance Williams, barring any suspension of his own for his alleged drunken car wreck and scooter fiasco, is a solid No. 2. Dallas should be fine at wideout. And that’s not even counting on getting anything significant out of Tavon Austin, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
100 days #CowboysNation! pic.twitter.com/iUcn5zjD2X
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 1, 2018
Dallas’ defense made a big jump last season in performance, especially up front where they finally developed a pass rush. If they can actually get Randy Gregory legal and on the field again, they should have two solid DEs with Demarcus Lawrence becoming a star.
If Leighton Vander Esch is as good as all the pundits who jump on white athletic guys think he’ll be, the linebacker corps is set with Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee. The Cowboys still look weak to me on the back end, with holes at corner. But they’ve looked like that for years.
We're about that work. 😤 #OTAs https://t.co/EGMang0uKf
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 1, 2018
The biggest issue with beating 8.5 wins is their division. The NFC East should be a beast this season, with a returning powerhouse Philadelphia Eagles team leading the way. The New York Giants will be vastly improved if Pat Shurmer is even half-way competent as a head coach and Alex Smith is at least a push for the Washington Redskins. Every division game is going to be a battle.
Looking at the Cowboys’ schedule, they open at the Carolina Panthers, host the Giants, play at the Seattle Seahawks, then bring the Detroit Lions to the Jerry Dome. This could be anywhere from a 4-0 to an 0-4 start and anything in between.
Personally, I see a 3-1 first month. Following on down the schedule, I can pick out 11 wins here. Nine should definitely be doable barring any catastrophic injury. And, frankly, if they don’t finish above .500 Jason Garrett should be fired on New Year’s Eve.
Five reasons why the @dallascowboys will be a 2018 playoff team!
(via @MarcSessler) https://t.co/XigtQ0k89Z
— NFL (@NFL) June 1, 2018
I say take the over.
